Cape Town City showed they mean business this season with a 1-0 warm-up win over PSL rivals Kaizer Chiefs.
Winger Craig Martin scored the winner in Mpumalanga Cultural Xperience cup in Nelspruit on Saturday.
Benni McCarthy’s manne worked hard for this victory in a physical and intense match, traits you wouldn’t normally see in a pre-season friendly, but they were there since this encounter comes a week before both teams start the season with tough matches.
Chiefs will visit the reigning league champions, Mamelodi Sundowns, this Saturday and later that day the Citizens will host SuperSport United.
The Citizens looked exciting and were able to switch up the tempo while Amakhosi were off the pace.
The physical nature of this contest infuriated both benches with some crunching tackles.
The Citizens countered Chiefs’ speed with force. Kwanda Mngonyama was the main instigator of that force and Khama Billiat the recipient.
But Riyaad Norodien also received some rough treatment from Chiefs’ leftback Letlhogonolo Mirwa.
Billiat eventually limped off the field just before the hour mark due to a tackle from Taariq Fielies.
Benni made five changes at the start of the second half which included the introduction of Siphelele Mthembu and Gift Links – changing the formation from 4-4-2 to 3-5-2.
The Citizens pressed harder after that. City eventually breached Chiefs’ defence through that pressure.
Teko Modise’s set-piece that fell into a congested box was pummelled by Craig Martin to beat new recruit Virgil Vries in the Chiefs goal.
The Citizens played with more confidence and energy after that goal and if they keep that intensity, they will be a match for many more teams in the PSL.
WINNERS: Cape Town City skipper Thami Mkhize with trophy